Measured fluid dispenser

ABSTRACT

A measured fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid from a storage container includes a measurement chamber, a fluid flow passage fluidly connecting the measurement chamber with the storage container, and a valve that is movable between an open position in which the fluid flow passage is opened to permit fluid flow from the storage chamber to the measurement chamber, and a closed position in which the fluid flow passage is closed to prevent fluid flow between the measurement chamber and the storage chamber. The measurement chamber may be adjustable to vary a fillable volume of the measurement chamber to thereby preselect an amount of fluid to be dispensed. The valve may be a rotating valve including first and second valve parts which may form a divider of the dispenser that separates the measurement chamber from the storage container.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/911,608 filed Oct. 7, 2019, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to fluid dispensers, and moreparticularly to a fluid dispenser for measuring and dispensing fluidcontained in a container.

BACKGROUND

There exists many ways to measure fluid. One such conventional way isthrough the use of a measuring cup including delineated markers alongthe side of the cup to visually indicate to a user how much fluid iscontained therein and dispensed from a bottle. The delineations onmeasuring cups are often very small and integrally formed into theplastic, which may cause some users difficulty in visually seeing thedemarcations on the cup, and which could result in an improper dosage ofmedicine, for example.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a fluid dispenser isprovided that is configured to measure and dispense a prescribedquantity of fluid from a container with improved accuracy and ease.

More particularly, according to an aspect, the present disclosureprovides a fluid dispenser that enables a user to selectively adjust afillable volume of a fluid chamber of the dispenser for dispensing thepreselected quantity of fluid.

According to an aspect, an adjustable measured fluid dispenser fordispensing fluid from a storage chamber of a storage container includes:a measurement chamber; at least one fluid flow passage configured tofluidly connect the measurement chamber with the storage chamber; atleast one valve that is movable between a first position in which the atleast one fluid flow passage is opened to permit fluid flow from thestorage chamber to the measurement chamber, and a second position inwhich the at least one fluid flow passage is closed to prevent fluidflow between the measurement chamber and the storage chamber; wherein afillable volume of the measurement chamber is adjustable to adjust anamount of fluid to be contained in the measurement chamber.

According to an aspect, a measured fluid dispenser for dispensing fluidfrom a storage chamber of a storage container includes: a measurementchamber; a fluid flow passage configured to fluidly connect themeasurement chamber with the storage chamber; a valve that is movablebetween an open position in which the fluid flow passage is opened topermit fluid flow from the storage chamber to the measurement chamber,and a closed position in which the fluid flow passage is closed toprevent fluid flow between the measurement chamber and the storagechamber; wherein the valve is a rotating valve in which a first valvepart includes a first portion of the fluid flow passage that is in fluidcommunication with the storage chamber, and in which a second valve partincludes a second portion of the fluid flow passage that is in fluidcommunication with the measurement chamber; wherein the second valvepart is rotatable relative to the first valve part, and/or wherein thefirst valve part is rotatable relative to the second valve part;wherein, when in the closed position, the first valve part and thesecond valve part are oriented relative to each other such that thefirst portion of the at least one fluid flow passage is misaligned withthe second portion of the at least fluid flow passage; and wherein, whenin an open position, the first valve part and the second part areoriented relative to each other such that the first portion of the atleast one fluid flow passage is aligned with the second portion of theat least fluid flow passage.

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certainillustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments areindicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantagesand novel features according to aspects of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when considered inconjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The annexed drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, show variousaspects of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of an exemplary fluid dispenser and acontainer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the fluid dispenser and containershown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded side view of the fluid dispenser shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the fluid dispenser.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a portion of the fluid dispenserwith the exemplary outer intermediate part and the exemplary measurementcontainer removed.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a portion of the fluid dispenserwith the exemplary outer intermediate part shown and with the exemplarymeasurement container removed.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary intermediate part ofthe fluid dispenser without the container and with the exemplarymeasurement container removed.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the fluid dispenser and containershown with the exemplary measurement container adjusted to maximize thefillable volume of the measurement chamber.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the fluid dispenser and containershown with the exemplary measurement container adjusted to minimize thefillable volume of the measurement chamber.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the fluid dispensershown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a portion of the fluid dispensershown without the measurement container, and which shows an exemplaryvalve in a closed state.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a portion of the fluid dispensershown without the measurement container, and which shows the exemplaryvalve in an open state

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles and aspects of the present disclosure have particularapplication to fluid dispensers for use with liquid medications, andthus will be described below chiefly in this context. It is understood,however, that the principles and aspects of the present disclosure maybe applicable for other applications for other types of fluids where itis desirable to measure and dispense a preselected quantity of fluidfrom a container with improved accuracy and ease.

FIGS. 1-12 show an exemplary fluid dispenser 10, or components thereof,for measuring and dispensing fluid contained in a chamber 12 of astorage container 14. As shown, the fluid dispenser 10 generallyincludes at least one internal measurement chamber 16 that defines avolume for measuring a preselected quantity of fluid. In exemplaryembodiments, the dispenser 10 also includes an intermediate part 18, orportion, at least some of which forms a divider 20 that fluidlyseparates the storage chamber 12 from the measurement chamber 16. In theillustrated embodiment, at least one fluid flow passage 22 extendsthrough the divider 18, and at least one suitable valve 24 is providedwhich is operative to open or close the fluid flow passage(s) 22 tothereby permit or restrict fluid flow between the storage chamber 12 andthe measurement chamber 16, as described in further detail below.

The storage container 14 may be any suitable container or vessel, suchas a bottle or the like, that is adapted to store a fluid, such asliquid medicine or the like. The storage container 14 may be made of arigid or semi-rigid plastic that is difficult to squeeze by hand; or thestorage container 14 may be made of flexible plastic that is easy todeform and squeeze by hand. In exemplary embodiments, the storagecontainer 14 may be separate and discrete from the dispenser 10, inwhich case the dispenser 10 may be operably couplable to, and removablefrom, the storage container 14. In the illustrated embodiment, forexample, the dispenser 10 is threadedly coupled to the storage container14 via suitable threads, such as outer threads 26 of the storagecontainer 14 and inner threads 27 of the dispenser 10. Alternatively, atleast a portion of the dispenser 10, such as a portion of theintermediate part 18, may be integral and unitary with the storagecontainer 14.

The internal measurement chamber 16 is formed by a measurement container28 of the dispenser 10, which may be any suitable container or vesseladapted to receive and contain a preselected quantity of fluid from thestorage chamber 12 of the storage container 14. The measurementcontainer 28 and the measurement chamber 16 may have any suitable shapeor form as may be desired for the particular application. In exemplaryembodiments, the measurement container 28 is removably securable to theintermediate part 18 of the dispenser 10 to form a cap or other closurefor enclosing the fillable volume of the measurement chamber 16.Alternatively, the measurement container 28 may be fixedly secured orcoupled to the intermediate portion 18, and may include a spout,opening, or other dispensing device for enabling fluid to be dispensedtherefrom.

In exemplary embodiments, the measurement chamber 16 is adjustable tovary the fillable volume of space within the measurement chamber 16. Inthis manner, a user may measure and dispense a desired volume of fluidsimply by pre-selectively adjusting the fillable volume of themeasurement chamber 16 either before or during filling of the chamberwith the fluid from the storage chamber 12 of the storage container 14.The ability to adjust the fillable volume of the measurement chamber 16in this way provides several advantages, such as greater number ofdiscrete graduated volumes to choose from as the measurement chamber 16is adjusted. In alternative embodiments, however, the measurementchamber 16 may be fixed in place to form one or more fixed volumes ofspace. For example, the measurement chamber 16 may be divided into twoor more sub-chambers via divider wall(s), in which the sub-chambers mayhave different volumes of space. In such an alternative embodiment, theuser may preselect a desired fixed volume via any suitable action, suchas by operably activating one or more valves via one or more flow pathsto thereby fill the selected fixed volume of space.

In exemplary embodiments, the measurement container 28 is formed as adispensing cup, such as a cylindrical cup, having enclosed internalside(s) 30 and an enclosed internal bottom 31 (or top when viewed inFIG. 3 or 4) that forms respective internal bounds of the fillablevolume of the measurement chamber 16. The measurement container 28, orcup, forming the measurement chamber 16 may have an open top 32 (orbottom when viewed in FIG. 3 or 4) that cooperates with the divider 20and/or other portions of the intermediate part 18 to define the fillablevolume of empty space in the measurement chamber 16. For example, asshown in the illustrated embodiment, an upper surface 34 of the divider20 facing the inside of the measurement chamber 16 may be received intothe opening 32 of the measurement container 28 to thereby form an upper(or lower) bound of the fillable volume of the measurement chamber 16.As shown, the divider 20 includes at least a portion of the fluid flowpassage(s) 22 that fluidly connect the storage chamber 12 with themeasurement chamber 16. One or more inlets 22 a (e.g., inlet ports) andoutlets 22 b (e.g., outlet ports) of the flow passage(s) 22 open throughthe divider 20 to enable flow in at least one direction from the storagechamber 12 to the measurement chamber 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, the measurement chamber 16 is adjustablevia adjustment of the measurement container 28 relative to otherportions of the dispenser 10 to vary the fillable volume of space. Theadjustment of the fillable volume of the measurement chamber 16 may beachieved in any suitable manner as would be understood by those havingordinary skill in the art. For example, the fillable volume of themeasurement chamber 16 generally may be adjusted via a change in thespacing between one or more of the internal surfaces 30, 31 of themeasurement container 28 relative to the one or more outlets 22 b of thefluid flow passage(s) 22. In the illustrated embodiment, for example,the measurement container 28 (e.g., cup or cap) is axially movablerelative to the intermediate part 18 such that a spacing between thebottom internal surface 31 of the measurement container 28 and the fluidoutlet(s) 22 b can be adjusted thereby varying the fillable volume ofthe measurement chamber 16. The operation of adjusting and removing themeasurement container 28 shown in the illustrated embodiment will bedescribed in further detail below.

The intermediate part 18 of the dispenser 10 generally is interposedbetween the storage chamber 14 and the measurement chamber 16 to formthe divider 20 (e.g., divider wall(s) or other dividing surface(s)) thatfluidly separates the chambers 14, 16. In exemplary embodiments, theintermediate part 18 is an intermediate assembly that is formed ofmultiple components. For example, as shown in the illustratedembodiment, the intermediate part 18 is formed as an intermediateassembly including an internal (or lower) intermediate part 36 thatoperably couples to the storage container 14, and an outer (or upper)intermediate part 38 that operably couples to the measurement container28. The outer (or upper) intermediate part 38 forms the upper portion ofthe divider 20, and the inner (or lower) intermediate part 36 forms thelower portion of the divider. It is understood, however, that inalternative embodiments the intermediate part 18 may be a single partand/or may be formed integrally with the storage container 14 and/or themeasurement container 28.

The intermediate part 18 includes the one or more fluid flow passages 22that establish fluid communication between the storage chamber 12 andthe measurement chamber 14. As such, the intermediate part also includesthe respective inlet(s) 22 a and outlet(s) 22 b that correspond with theflow passages 22. The fluid flow passages 22, inlets 22 a, and outlets22 b may be provided in any suitable form, such as being integrallyformed through the divider 20 of the intermediate part 18, or beingformed via separate pipes or conduits, for example. Any suitable numberof fluid flow passages 22 may be provided in any suitable direction orcombination of directions. In the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser10 includes two fluid flow passages 22 that each extend axially with oneside opening through the upper surface 34 of the outer intermediate part38, and with an opposite side of each passage 22 opening through a lowersurface 35 of the inner intermediate part 36, In exemplary embodiments,the full extent of the fluid flow passage(s) 22 between the respectiveinlet(s) 22 a and outlet(s) 22 b may be formed by aligning the openingsin each of the inner and outer intermediate parts 36, 38, as describedin further detail below.

To provide sealing functionality between the container chamber 14 andmeasurement chamber 16, the intermediate part 18 also may include one ormore suitable seals. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, anO-ring seal 40 is disposed in a radial groove 41 of the intermediatepart 18 to sealing engage with the inner side surface 30 of themeasurement container 28. Also as shown, the intermediate part 18includes an O-ring seal 42 disposed in a circumferential groove 43 in anupper surface of the inner (or lower) intermediate part 36 for sealinglyengaging a space between the outer and inner intermediate parts 36, 38.In addition, the dispenser 10 may include a seal 44 between the innerintermediate part 36 and the storage container 14 for sealing a spacetherebetween.

As noted above, the dispenser 10 includes at least one suitable valve 24that is operative to open the fluid flow passage(s) 22 to thereby permitfluid flow in at least one direction from the storage chamber 12 to themeasurement chamber 16, and to close the fluid flow passage(s) 22 tothereby restrict fluid flow between the storage chamber 12 and themeasurement chamber 16. The one or more valves 24 (also referred toherein as the valve 24 for simplicity) may be any suitable type of valveand may be located at any suitable location for providing such flowcontrol functionality. The one or more valves 24 may be the same foreach flow passage 22, or the valves 24 may be different in each flowpassage 22. In exemplary embodiments, the valve 24 is actuatable by theuser to actively open and actively close the valve 24. Alternatively,the valve 24 may be actuatable by fluid pressure or spring pressure toprovide opening and/or closing of the valve 24. Exemplary types ofvalves that are suitable for use in the dispenser 10 include, but arenot limited to, a check valve, a shut off valve, a flow control valve,or the like; such as a spring-operated ball check valve, a duck-billcheck valve, a U-cup check valve or other lip check valve, a rotatingdisc valve, a spool valve, a gate valve, or any other suitable type ofvalve.

In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 24 is a rotating valve 24, suchas a rotating disc or rotating plate valve. The rotating valve 24 mayinclude a first valve part that is rotatable relative to a second valvepart to open or close the fluid flow passage(s) 22. As shown in theillustrated embodiment, the respective parts of the rotating valve 24are formed by the divider disc or plate portions of the outerintermediate part 38 and inner intermediate part 36 being movablerelative to each other. As noted above, these respective portions of thedivider 20 formed by the inner and outer intermediate parts 36, 38 eachinclude respective openings, or apertures, that define respectiveportions of the fluid flow passage(s) 22. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and6, the openings in the inner (or lower) intermediate part 26 areindicated with reference numeral 22 a (corresponding with inlets 22 a)for simplicity, and the openings in the outer (or upper) intermediatepart 28 are indicated with reference numeral 22 b (corresponding withoutlets 22 b) for simplicity. As will be described in further detailbelow, the valve 24 is actuatable to open via movement of the respectiveinner or outer intermediate parts 36, 38 to align the respectiveopenings 22 a, 22 b with each other to open the fluid passage(s) 22, andthe valve 24 is actuatable to close via movement of the intermediateparts 36, 38 to misalign the respective openings 22 a, 22 b to close thefluid passage(s) 22.

An exemplary operation of the dispenser 10 will now be described.Referring initially to FIGS. 8-10, the measurement container 28 issecured to the intermediate part 18 of the dispenser, and a user mayadjust the fillable volume of the measurement chamber 16 by moving themeasurement container 28 along axis A relative to the intermediate part18. As shown in the comparison between FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, such axialmovement causes the distance from the bottom internal surface 31 of themeasurement container 28 to the upper surface 34 of the intermediatepart 18 to increase or decrease to respectively increase or decrease thefillable volume of the measurement chamber 16. In exemplary embodiments,the measurement container 28 is slidably movable relative to theintermediate part 18 while maintaining sealing engagement with the seal40. It is understood that such slidable movement to adjust the fillablevolume of the measurement chamber 16 is exemplary, and other suitableforms of movement may be provided, such as threaded rotational and axialmovement of the measurement container 28 relative to the intermediatepart 18, for example. However, such slidable movement may providecertain advantages in ease of adjustment, accuracy of adjustment, andmanufacturability of the dispenser 10, for example.

As shown, to facilitate slidable movement of the measurement container28, the intermediate part 18 may include one or more axial guides 46,such as rails, that cooperate with one or more respective guide slots 48in the measurement container 28. The cooperation of the guides 46 withthe guide slots 48 also constrains rotational movement of themeasurement container 28 with the outer intermediate part 38. This canhelp to enable opening and closing of the rotating valve 24 (describedin further detail below) by co-rotating the measurement container 28with the outer intermediate part 38.

To facilitate accurate adjustment of the fillable volume of themeasurement chamber 16, the measurement container 28 and/or guides 46may include a series of detents 50 or other catch mechanism indicatingdiscrete intervals of the fillable volume in the measurement chamber 16.In the illustrated embodiment, for example, an outer surface of themeasurement container 28 includes a series of axially spaced apartridges and grooves (e.g., teeth, also referenced with 50) that cooperatewith a hook 52, or pin, on the guide 46 to indicate each axialadjustment of a predefined amount. The guide 46 in the illustratedembodiment includes a flexure, or flexible finger element, that enablesmovement of the hook 52 in an out of the series of teeth 50. Inexemplary embodiments, each detent 50 (e.g., tooth) corresponds with afillable volume increase or decrease of an amount in the range between 1mL to 5 mL, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, each detent 50corresponds to a 1 mL increase or decrease of the fillable volume offluid. This enables the user to easily preselect the fillable volume ofthe measurement chamber 16 to measure and dispense the desired amount offluid. In exemplary embodiments, the total fillable volume of fluid inthe measurement chamber 16 may be in the range from 5 mL to 30 mL, forexample.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 11 and 12, actuation of the valve 24to open or close the fluid flow passage(s) 22 will now be described.Before or after turning the storage container 14 upside down to fill themeasurement container 16, the valve 24 is actuated open by the user. Asdiscussed above, the valve 24 in the illustrated embodiment is arotating valve formed by respective divider portions of the outer (orupper) intermediate part 38 and inner (or lower) intermediate part 36cooperating with each other through alignment or misalignment of therespective openings 22 a, 22 b to respectively open or close the valve24. Accordingly, to actuate the valve 24 to open (as shown in FIG. 12),the user rotates the outer intermediate part 38 by a predefined amount(e.g., 45-degrees) relative to the stationary inner intermediate part 36to align the openings 22 a, 22 b in each of the inner and outerintermediate parts 36, 38 to thereby open the flow passage 22 betweenthe storage chamber 12 and the measurement chamber 16. Because themeasurement container 28 is fixed relative to the outer intermediatepart 38 via the guides 46 interlocking with guide slots 48, the user mayactuate the valve 24 by applying rotational torque to the measurementcontainer 28 which rotates the valve 24.

To enhance user interaction with actuating the valve 24, the valve 24may include one or more stops for indicating the fully opened and fullyclosed positions. For example, referring particularly to FIG. 7, theillustrated embodiment shows the inner intermediate part 36 having afirst radially protruding rib 54 that is configured to engage a firststop surface 56 of the outer intermediate part 38 when the valve 24 isrotated to its fully-closed position (FIG. 11). The inner intermediatepart 36 also includes a second radially protruding rib 58 that iscircumferentially offset from the first radially protruding rib 54 thatis configured to engage a second stop surface 60 of the outerintermediate part 38 when the valve is rotated to its fully-openposition (FIG. 12).

Also to enhance user interaction with actuating the valve 24 andensuring that the valve is closed to prevent leakage, the valve 24 mayinclude one or more locking features for locking the valve in the closedposition. For example, still referring to FIG. 7, an exemplary lockingmechanism 62 is shown for locking the valve 24 in the closed position(e.g., when the openings 22 a, 22 b are rotationally misaligned). Asshown, the locking mechanism 62 may be formed by an interlockinginterface between the inner intermediate part 36 and the outerintermediate part 38 when the valve 24 is closed. The interlockinginterface may include a detent or catch. In the illustrated embodiment,for example, the interlocking interface is formed by an axiallyextending protrusion 64 of the inner intermediate part 36 having atleast one inclined surface that interfaces against a correspondinginclined surface of an axially extending notch 66, or groove, in aportion of the outer intermediate part 38 when the valve 24 is in itsclosed position. The portion of the outer intermediate part 38 havingthe notch 66 which interacts with the protrusion 64 is formed as acircumferentially extending rim or collar portion 68 that is resilientand applies an axial biasing force to bias the protrusion 64 into thenotch 66.

When the user rotates the valve 24 from closed toward open, the userapplies sufficient rotational force that is exerted against the inclinedinterlocking interface and causes the collar portion 68 to flex downwardwhen the biasing force from the collar portion is overcome. When theprotrusion 64 clears the notch 66, the valve 24 is free to rotate to theopen position, which serves as an indication to the user that the valve24 is unlocked. When the user rotates the valve 24 from the openposition to the closed position, the opposite inclined surface of theprotrusion 64 interfaces against the collar portion 68 to urge thecollar portion downwardly, and when the protrusion 64 reaches the notch66 the collar portion 68 snaps into interlocking engagement to lock thevalve 24 in the closed position. In this manner, the locking mechanism62 provides a resilient snap together locking mechanism. In theillustrated embodiment, two such locking mechanisms 62 are provided,which are offset 180-degrees from each other about the intermediate part18. It is understood that the valve 24 may include fewer or greater suchlocking mechanisms 62, or even a different type of locking mechanism. Italso is understood that although the inner intermediate part 36 is shownhaving the protrusion 64 and the outer intermediate part 38 has thenotch 66, these could be reversed for one or more of the lockingmechanisms 62.

Because the measurement chamber 16 is fluidly sealed, to facilitatefluid flow from the storage chamber 12 to the measurement container 16when the valve is opened and the storage container 14 is flipped upsidedown, the dispenser 10 may include one or more pressure equalizationfeatures. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the dispenser 10includes a pressure equalization tube 70 that enables the air pocket inthe measurement chamber 16 to fluidly communicate with the air space atthe top (when upside down) of the storage chamber 12. As shown in FIGS.5 and 6, for example, the tube 70 may be inserted through or fluidlycoupled to openings 72 a, 72 b (collectively referred to as 72) in therespective divider portions of the inner and outer intermediate parts36, 38. This allows the air in the measurement chamber 16 to be purgedto the storage chamber 12 so that the entire preselected fillable volumeof the measurement chamber 16 may be filled, thereby ensuring anaccurate preselected dose.

Also because the measurement chamber 16 is fluidly sealed, the dispenser10 may include one or more vent features to facilitate adjustment of themeasurement chamber 16. For example, to facilitate adjustment of thefillable volume of the measurement chamber 16 without the buildup ofsuction or pressure, the dispenser 10 includes one or more vent passages74 that fluidly communicate air in the measurement chamber 16 with theair in the storage chamber 12 when the measurement container 28 isadjusted up or down. In exemplary embodiments, the vent passage(s) 74cooperate with the valve 24, such that when the valve 24 is actuated toits closed position, the vent passage(s) 74 are opened, and when thevalve 24 is actuated to its opened position, the vent passage(s) 74 areclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the vent passage(s) 74 are formedvia small vent apertures 74 a, 74 b (FIGS. 5 and 6) in each of thedivider portions of the inner and outer intermediate parts 36, 38 thatalign with each other when opened and are misaligned when closed,similarly to the openings 22 a, 22 b for fluid flow passages 22. Inexemplary embodiments, the vent passage(s) 74 are sized sufficientlylarge enough to allow airflow therethrough, but are sized sufficientlysmall to prevent or restrict fluid flow (e.g., based on viscosity) whenthe valve 24 is closed.

When the measurement chamber 16 has been completely filled with fluid tothe preselected volume, the user may then actuate the valve 24 to itsclosed position, thereby preventing leakage from the storage container14 when the measurement container 28 (e.g., cap) is removed.

With the storage container 14 still turned upside down and the valve 24closed, the user may remove the measurement container 28 from thedispenser 10. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, theguides 38 include hooks 78 at their ends (e.g., lower ends when upsidedown) that engage respective catches or lips 80 on the measurementcontainer 28 that prevents the measurement container 28 from beingaccidentally removed. To remove the measurement container 28, the usersqueezes the flexible guides 46 toward each other, releasing the hooks78 from the lips 80. The measurement container 28 can then be removed.

The lock/release mechanism provided by the hook-and-lip interface of theflexible guides 46 and measurement container 28 may serve as a firstchildproof feature of the dispenser 10. The dispenser 10 also mayinclude one or more additional childproof features. For example, theflexible collar portions 68 of the outer intermediate part 38 each mayinclude a boss 82 that axially constrains the inner and outerintermediate parts 36, 38 together so that they are prevented fromaccidentally being disassembled from each other. In addition, betweenthe inner intermediate part 36 and the storage container 14, there maybe a squeeze-and-turn safety mechanism to prevent accidental removal ofthe intermediate part 18 from the storage container 14.

An exemplary measured fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid from astorage container has been shown and described herein. Generally, themeasured fluid dispenser includes a measurement chamber, a fluid flowpassage fluidly connecting the measurement chamber with the storagecontainer, and a valve that is movable between an open position in whichthe fluid flow passage is opened to permit fluid flow from the storagechamber to the measurement chamber, and a closed position in which thefluid flow passage is closed to prevent fluid flow between themeasurement chamber and the storage chamber. The measurement chamber maybe adjustable to vary a fillable volume of the measurement chamber tothereby preselect an amount of fluid to be dispensed. The valve may be arotating valve including first and second valve parts which may form adivider of the dispenser that separates the measurement chamber from thestorage container.

While one or more preferred forms of the exemplary fluid dispenserhas/have been described above, it should be apparent to those skilled inthe art that other fluid dispenser designs could also be used. Forexample, other suitable forms of the measurement container, measurementchamber(s), fluid flow passage(s), valve(s), etc., and/or theinteraction thereof are possible, as would be understood by those havingordinary skill in the art. For example, the above-described adjustablemeasurement container (and corresponding components with which themeasurement container interacts) could be used with the dispenser(s)shown and described in International Application No. PCT/US2019/026554filed Apr. 9, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Likewise, one or more of the valve mechanism(s) (and othersuitable features) from PCT/US2019/026554 could be used in theabove-described dispenser.

According to an aspect, a fluid dispenser is provided that is configuredto measure and dispense a prescribed quantity of fluid from a containerwith improved accuracy and ease.

According to another aspect, a fluid dispenser is provided that enablesa user to selectively adjust a fillable volume of a fluid chamber of thedispenser for dispensing the preselected quantity of fluid.

According to an aspect, an adjustable measured fluid dispenser fordispensing fluid from a storage chamber of a storage container includes:a measurement chamber; at least one fluid flow passage configured tofluidly connect the measurement chamber with the storage chamber; atleast one valve that is movable between a first position in which the atleast one fluid flow passage is opened to permit fluid flow from thestorage chamber to the measurement chamber, and a second position inwhich the at least one fluid flow passage is closed to prevent fluidflow between the measurement chamber and the storage chamber; wherein afillable volume of the measurement chamber is adjustable to adjust anamount of fluid to be contained in the measurement chamber.

Embodiments may include one or more of the following additionalfeatures, separately or in any combination.

In some embodiments, the adjustable measured fluid dispenser furtherincludes a divider that separates the measurement chamber from thestorage chamber, the divider having at least one outlet of the at leastone fluid flow passage that opens into the measurement chamber.

In some embodiments, the measurement chamber is at least partiallyformed by internal surfaces of a measurement container, wherein a bottominternal surface of the measurement container is movable relative to theoutlet and/or the divider to adjust the fillable volume of themeasurement chamber.

In some embodiments, the measurement container is axially movablerelative to the outlet and/or the divider to adjust the fillable volumeof the measurement chamber.

In some embodiments, the divider is formed by an intermediate part ofthe dispenser, the intermediate part having one or more axiallyextending guides that are slidably received by corresponding one or moreguide slots in the measurement container, such that the measurementcontainer is slidably movable axially relative to the intermediate partto adjust the fillable volume of the measurement chamber.

In some embodiments, the one or more axially extending guides areflexibly movable and include a hook that engages with respective detentson the measurement container to indicate discrete graduated fillablevolumes of the measurement chamber.

In some embodiments, the respective detents are formed by axially spacedapart teeth, and wherein the axial spacing between the teeth correspondswith an increase or decrease in the fillable volume of the measurementchamber in the range from 1 mL to 5 mL.

In some embodiments, the adjustable measured fluid dispenser furtherincludes an intermediate part having a divider that separates themeasurement chamber from the storage chamber, the divider having atleast one outlet of the at least one fluid flow passage that opens intothe measurement chamber.

In some embodiments, the measurement chamber is at least partiallyformed by internal surfaces of a measurement cup, the measurement cupbeing securably couplable to and removable from the intermediate part.

In some embodiments, the intermediate part includes at least one flexurethat is engageable with at least one catch of the measurement cup torestrict removal of the measurement cup, and wherein the at least oneflexure is movable by a user to release from the at least one catchthereby enabling removal of the measurement cup from the intermediatepart.

In some embodiments, the measurement cup is axially movable relative tothe intermediate part for adjusting the fillable volume of themeasurement chamber.

In some embodiments, the at least one flexure of the intermediate partforms at least one axially extending guide that is slidably engageablewith the measurement cup to guide axial movement of the measurement cuprelative to the intermediate part.

In some embodiments, the adjustable measured fluid dispenser furtherincludes an intermediate part having a divider that separates themeasurement chamber from the storage chamber, the divider having the atleast one fluid flow passage with a first port opening into themeasurement chamber and a second port opening into the storage chamber.

In some embodiments, the intermediate part includes or at leastpartially forms the at least one valve.

In some embodiments, the at least valve is a lip check valve, a rotatingdisc valve, a spool valve, or a gate valve.

In some embodiments, the at least one valve is a rotating valve in whicha first valve part includes a first portion of the at least one fluidflow passage that opens into the storage chamber, and in which a secondvalve part includes a second portion of the at least one fluid flowpassage that opens into the measurement chamber.

In some embodiments, the second valve part is rotatable relative to thefirst valve part, and/or wherein the first valve part is rotatablerelative to the second valve part.

In some embodiments, when in a closed state, the first valve part andthe second valve part are oriented relative to each other such that thefirst portion of the at least one fluid flow passage is misaligned withthe second portion of the at least fluid flow passage.

In some embodiments, when in an open state, the first valve part and thesecond part are oriented relative to each other such that the firstportion of the at least one fluid flow passage is aligned with thesecond portion of the at least fluid flow passage.

In some embodiments, the first valve part and the second valve parttogether form at least a portion of a divider of an intermediate part ofthe dispenser.

In some embodiments, the measurement chamber is at least partiallyformed by a measurement container, the measurement container beingmovable relative to the intermediate part to selectively adjust thefillable volume of the measurement chamber, and wherein the measurementcontainer is securably couplable to and removable from the intermediatepart.

In some embodiments, the rotating valve includes a first stop thatrestricts further rotational movement of the first valve part and/or thesecond valve part beyond the first position, and includes a second stopcircumferentially spaced from the first stop, the second stoprestricting further rotational movement of the first valve part and/orthe second valve part beyond the second position.

In some embodiments, the rotating valve includes a lock mechanismincluding a detent that locks the rotating valve when in the closedstate.

In some embodiments, the detent includes a tapered interface between thefirst valve part and the second valve part that enables a user to unlockthe rotating valve with a rotational force.

In some embodiments, the adjustable measured fluid dispenser furtherincludes a pressure equalization tube having a first opening in fluidcommunication with air inside the storage chamber, and a second openingin fluid communication with the measurement chamber.

In some embodiments, the measurement chamber is sealed from an externalenvironment, and wherein a divider between the measurement chamber andthe storage container includes one or more vent passages that facilitateadjustment of the fillable volume of the measurement chamber.

According to another aspect, a measured fluid dispenser for dispensingfluid from a storage chamber of a storage container includes: ameasurement chamber; a fluid flow passage configured to fluidly connectthe measurement chamber with the storage chamber; a valve that ismovable between an open position in which the fluid flow passage isopened to permit fluid flow from the storage chamber to the measurementchamber, and a closed position in which the fluid flow passage is closedto prevent fluid flow between the measurement chamber and the storagechamber; wherein the valve is a rotating valve in which a first valvepart includes a first portion of the fluid flow passage that is in fluidcommunication with the storage chamber, and in which a second valve partincludes a second portion of the fluid flow passage that is in fluidcommunication with the measurement chamber; wherein the second valvepart is rotatable relative to the first valve part, and/or wherein thefirst valve part is rotatable relative to the second valve part;wherein, when in the closed position, the first valve part and thesecond valve part are oriented relative to each other such that thefirst portion of the at least one fluid flow passage is misaligned withthe second portion of the at least fluid flow passage; and wherein, whenin an open position, the first valve part and the second part areoriented relative to each other such that the first portion of the atleast one fluid flow passage is aligned with the second portion of theat least fluid flow passage.

Embodiments may include one or more of the foregoing additional featuresand/or one or more of the following additional features, separately orin any combination.

In some embodiments, the first valve part and the second valve parttogether form at least a portion of a divider that separates themeasurement chamber from the storage chamber.

In some embodiments, the measurement chamber is at least partiallyformed by internal surfaces of a measurement container and a surface ofthe divider.

In some embodiments, the measurement container is movable relative tothe divider to selectively adjust a fillable volume of the measurementchamber to preselect an amount of fluid to be contained in themeasurement chamber.

In the discussion above, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom,”“end,” “inner,” “left,” “right,” “above,” “below,” “horizontal,”“vertical,” etc. refer to the measured fluid dispenser as viewed in ahorizontal position, as shown in FIG. 1, for example. Such relativepositional terms as used in this disclosure are understood to refer toan arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinarygravitational frame of reference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface,a front surface, and a rear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly,diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference.

As used herein, an “operable connection,” or a connection by whichentities are “operably connected,” is one in which the entities areconnected in such a way that the entities may perform as intended. Anoperable connection may be a direct connection or an indirect connectionin which an intermediate entity or entities cooperate or otherwise arepart of the connection or are in between the operably connectedentities. An operable connection or coupling may include the entitiesbeing integral and unitary with each other.

It is to be understood that all ranges and ratio limits disclosed in thespecification and claims may be combined in any manner. It is to beunderstood that unless specifically stated otherwise, references to “a,”“an,” and/or “the” may include one or more than one, and that referenceto an item in the singular may also include the item in the plural.

The phrase “and/or” should be understood to mean “either or both” of theelements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present insome cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements mayoptionally be present other than the elements specifically identified bythe “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elementsspecifically identified unless clearly indicated to the contrary. Thus,as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used inconjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, inone embodiment, to A without B (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B without A (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

The word “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or”as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or“and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion ofat least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list ofelements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearlyindicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,”may refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list ofelements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only beinterpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the otherbut not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of,”

The phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or moreelements, should be understood to mean at least one element selectedfrom any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but notnecessarily including at least one of each and every elementspecifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding anycombinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition alsoallows that elements may optionally be present other than the elementsspecifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase“at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elementsspecifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least oneof A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or,equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment,to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no Bpresent (and optionally including elements other than B); in anotherembodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, withno A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yetanother embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one,A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (andoptionally including other elements); etc.

The transitional words or phrases, such as “comprising,” “including,”“carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” and thelike, are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including butnot limited to.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalentalterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the artupon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexeddrawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by theabove described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions,etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describesuch elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany element which performs the specified function of the describedelement (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs thefunction in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodimentsof the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of theinvention may have been described above with respect to only one or moreof several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined withone or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desiredand advantageous for any given or particular application.

1. An adjustable measured fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid from astorage chamber of a storage container, the fluid dispenser comprising:a measurement chamber; at least one fluid flow passage configured tofluidly connect the measurement chamber with the storage chamber; atleast one valve that is movable between a first position in which the atleast one fluid flow passage is opened to permit fluid flow from thestorage chamber to the measurement chamber, and a second position inwhich the at least one fluid flow passage is closed to prevent fluidflow between the measurement chamber and the storage chamber; wherein afillable volume of the measurement chamber is adjustable to adjust anamount of fluid to be contained in the measurement chamber.
 2. Theadjustable measured fluid dispenser according to claim 1, furthercomprising a divider that separates the measurement chamber from thestorage chamber, the divider having at least one outlet of the at leastone fluid flow passage that opens into the measurement chamber; andwherein the measurement chamber is at least partially formed by internalsurfaces of a measurement container, wherein a bottom internal surfaceof the measurement container is movable relative to the outlet and/orthe divider to adjust the fillable volume of the measurement chamber. 3.The adjustable measured fluid dispenser according to claim 2, whereinthe measurement container is axially movable relative to the outletand/or the divider to adjust the fillable volume of the measurementchamber.
 4. The adjustable measured fluid dispenser according to claim3, wherein the divider is formed by an intermediate part of thedispenser, the intermediate part having one or more axially extendingguides that are slidably received by corresponding one or more guideslots in the measurement container, such that the measurement containeris slidably movable axially relative to the intermediate part to adjustthe fillable volume of the measurement chamber.
 5. The adjustablemeasured fluid dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the one or moreaxially extending guides are flexibly movable and include a hook thatengages with respective detents on the measurement container to indicatediscrete graduated fillable volumes of the measurement chamber.
 6. Theadjustable measured fluid dispenser according to claim 5, wherein therespective detents are formed by axially spaced apart teeth, and whereinthe axial spacing between the teeth corresponds with an increase ordecrease in the fillable volume of the measurement chamber in the rangefrom 1 mL to 5 mL.
 7. The adjustable measured fluid dispenser accordingto claim 1, further comprising an intermediate part having a dividerthat separates the measurement chamber from the storage chamber, thedivider having at least one outlet of the at least one fluid flowpassage that opens into the measurement chamber; and wherein themeasurement chamber is at least partially formed by internal surfaces ofa measurement cup, the measurement cup being securably couplable to andremovable from the intermediate part.
 8. The adjustable measured fluiddispenser according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate part includesat least one flexure that is engageable with at least one catch of themeasurement cup to restrict removal of the measurement cup, and whereinthe at least one flexure is movable by a user to release from the atleast one catch thereby enabling removal of the measurement cup from theintermediate part.
 9. The adjustable measured fluid dispenser accordingto claim 8, wherein the measurement cup is axially movable relative tothe intermediate part for adjusting the fillable volume of themeasurement chamber, and wherein the at least one flexure of theintermediate part forms at least one axially extending guide that isslidably engageable with the measurement cup to guide axial movement ofthe measurement cup relative to the intermediate part.
 10. Theadjustable measured fluid dispenser according to claim 1, furthercomprising an intermediate part having a divider that separates themeasurement chamber from the storage chamber, the divider having the atleast one fluid flow passage with a first port opening into themeasurement chamber and a second port opening into the storage chamber;and wherein the intermediate part includes or at least partially formsthe at least one valve.
 11. The adjustable measured fluid dispenseraccording to claim 1, wherein the at least valve is a lip check valve, arotating disc valve, a spool valve, or a gate valve.
 12. The adjustablemeasured fluid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the at least onevalve is a rotating valve in which a first valve part includes a firstportion of the at least one fluid flow passage that opens into thestorage chamber, and in which a second valve part includes a secondportion of the at least one fluid flow passage that opens into themeasurement chamber; wherein the second valve part is rotatable relativeto the first valve part, and/or wherein the first valve part isrotatable relative to the second valve part; wherein, when in a closedstate, the first valve part and the second valve part are orientedrelative to each other such that the first portion of the at least onefluid flow passage is misaligned with the second portion of the at leastfluid flow passage; and wherein, when in an open state, the first valvepart and the second part are oriented relative to each other such thatthe first portion of the at least one fluid flow passage is aligned withthe second portion of the at least fluid flow passage.
 13. Theadjustable measured fluid dispenser according to claim 12, wherein thefirst valve part and the second valve part together form at least aportion of a divider of an intermediate part of the dispenser; whereinthe measurement chamber is at least partially formed by a measurementcontainer, the measurement container being movable relative to theintermediate part to selectively adjust the fillable volume of themeasurement chamber, and wherein the measurement container is securablycouplable to and removable from the intermediate part.
 14. Theadjustable measured fluid dispenser according to claim 12, wherein therotating valve includes a first stop that restricts further rotationalmovement of the first valve part and/or the second valve part beyond thefirst position, and includes a second stop circumferentially spaced fromthe first stop, the second stop restricting further rotational movementof the first valve part and/or the second valve part beyond the secondposition.
 15. The adjustable measured fluid dispenser according to claim12, wherein the rotating valve includes a lock mechanism including adetent that locks the rotating valve when in the closed state.
 16. Theadjustable measured fluid dispenser according to claim 12, wherein thedetent includes a tapered interface between the first valve part and thesecond valve part that enables a user to unlock the rotating valve witha rotational force.
 17. The adjustable measured fluid dispenseraccording to claim 1, further comprising a pressure equalization tubehaving a first opening in fluid communication with air inside thestorage chamber, and a second opening in fluid communication with themeasurement chamber.
 18. The adjustable measured fluid dispenseraccording to claim 1, wherein the measurement chamber is sealed from anexternal environment, and wherein a divider between the measurementchamber and the storage container includes one or more vent passagesthat facilitate adjustment of the fillable volume of the measurementchamber.
 19. A measured fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid from astorage chamber of a storage container, the fluid dispenser comprising:a measurement chamber; a fluid flow passage configured to fluidlyconnect the measurement chamber with the storage chamber; a valve thatis movable between an open position in which the fluid flow passage isopened to permit fluid flow from the storage chamber to the measurementchamber, and a closed position in which the fluid flow passage is closedto prevent fluid flow between the measurement chamber and the storagechamber; wherein the valve is a rotating valve in which a first valvepart includes a first portion of the fluid flow passage that is in fluidcommunication with the storage chamber, and in which a second valve partincludes a second portion of the fluid flow passage that is in fluidcommunication with the measurement chamber; wherein the second valvepart is rotatable relative to the first valve part, and/or wherein thefirst valve part is rotatable relative to the second valve part;wherein, when in the closed position, the first valve part and thesecond valve part are oriented relative to each other such that thefirst portion of the at least one fluid flow passage is misaligned withthe second portion of the at least fluid flow passage; and wherein, whenin an open position, the first valve part and the second part areoriented relative to each other such that the first portion of the atleast one fluid flow passage is aligned with the second portion of theat least fluid flow passage.
 20. The measured fluid dispenser accordingto claim 19, wherein the first valve part and the second valve parttogether form at least a portion of a divider that separates themeasurement chamber from the storage chamber; wherein the measurementchamber is at least partially formed by internal surfaces of ameasurement container and a surface of the divider; and wherein themeasurement container is movable relative to the divider to selectivelyadjust a fillable volume of the measurement chamber to preselect anamount of fluid to be contained in the measurement chamber.